#If I had to pinpoint the moment where carl clicked to me

[nex-kyit]

Finished reading Dungeon Crawler Carl. Man.....

Bonus Donut sketch below + some rambling that I don't think is worth its own post.

Finally, after all this time my years and years of drawing warrior cats is finally coming into use. Hm, I'm still not sure how I feel about Donut in the first piece, was looking at the wiki and it turns out shes black, orange AND white. Ah well, not used to drawing Persians, but I'm statisfied with this as my first attempt. Hardest part is getting the expression. When making WC art, I tend to anthropomorphise the face for expressions, but I tried to go a bit more realistic here. Not sure if it worked well here or not. As for Carl... yes I know he's missing a tatoo or two. I'm on Donut's side here, he has way too many.

[the-witty-pen-name]

The Nanny Pt. 3

Lee Bodecker x Nanny!F!Reader

18+

Word Count: 3.3k

Warnings: alcohol/drinking, food, corrupt cop, mentions of prostitution/smut, implied age gap (reader is in her 20s), cursing, mentions of serial killers/murder, mutual pining, 

Summary:

Based on this Request: The reader moves to Meade/Knockemstiff while answering an advertisement for a nanny in the paper. We learn that the ad was posted by Sandy, who has the reader watch her child whenever she and Carl leave to do their secret thing. After one of these trips, Sandy and her husband never return, so the reader is left caring for their baby. With the new investigation into these events, she meets Sandy’s brother Lee, the older, out of shape, alcoholic bachelor, and they are suddenly thrown into each others lives as he begins looking into his sister’s disappearance. Through it all, Lee starts to fall for her, and they slowly become a family.

A/N: I got inspired re-watching one of my favorite shows and I want to know if anyone else gets the reference I’m using! If I missed anything I should include as a warning that I missed please let me know! This is also unedited!

Taglist Form is in my bio!

Series Masterlist

Your shoulders tensed listening to the radio in the morning. Sitting on your ottoman, you were painting your nails, using the coffee table as your nail station. It was a really bright morning, and you had the curtains pulled open to draw in light. Julie frantically rushed between her room and the bathroom getting ready for her shift at the diner. The newest single from The Beach Boys was playing through the little counter top radio, but at the top of the hour, the melodies playing through the speaker changed to the news. The top story of the morning was chilling.

“Jules,” you said, calling her over hesitantly, putting the cap back on the bottle of polish. “Come listen to this.”

She scurried out of her room while working to tie her apron in the back, and then she stood next to where you sat to listen to the story on the news. The color drained from her face as you both listened to the reporter describe the horrific scene that was under investigation early this morning.

Roy Laferty was an evangelical preacher whose body washed up by the lake very early that same morning. The news report talked about the police investigation, and also disclosed his wife Helen, is also reported missing. They are looking into the disappearance of Helen, as well as opening a full investigation on Laferty’s murder. They also urge individuals with any information regarding the two to call the Sheriff’s department and to provide a statement.

“That’s horrifying,” you mumble, shocked as you try to process the news. Julie nods in agreement but strangely doesn’t seem nearly as affected by the news as you.

“It’s happening again,” she mutters, obviously concerned but her lack of surprise worries you.

“What do you mean again?” you ask.

“There was a string of unexplained murders, all men, like this newest one,” Julie explained, “This was all over the news like two years ago- can’t believe you hadn’t heard about it.” All you could do was shrug; this was all new to you. “Obviously, there was nothing linking their deaths, but there were these five killings a couple of years ago that are still unsolved. There’s no evidence, but the town rumors it was like a serial killer or something. Nothing is confirmed, of course, just a story.”

“What makes people think it was all the same person?” you ask, hesitantly.

“All the people were always the same type,” she shrugs, “Men all in their 20s and 30s. Again, there’s nothing linking them all together. It’s just talk.”

You clicked off the radio, and didn’t know what to do with yourself. Julie patted your shoulder, comfortingly but she had to go on with her day. So did you, and you almost her ability to move about the apartment almost unfazed by the news. You suppose it makes sense, her growing up here she’s probably used to it. You didn’t have the experience or the thick skin she had.

You had decided to go to the library, still preoccupied by the news segment as well as the things Julie had told you about the Sheriff. You spent the better half of the morning looking at the library’s archives of old newspapers. You wanted to read more about the unsolved cases Julie had told you about, so there you sat for several hours looking through the microfilm reader. You even stumbled upon articles that featured the Sheriff.

There he was plain as day on the front page when it was announced he had won the election the first time he ran several years back. You couldn’t help but notice the changes in his appearance and demeanor compared to the man you keep running into. He was a little slimmer, and he looked a lot happier, a little fuller of life, you decided was a good way to explain it. His smile was wider, and you could see the difference in his eyes as well. It was seeing how he was before the stress of the job began to take its heavy toll. He had on the same leather jacket as well, you were fairly certain, even though the one in the photograph hung a little looser.

You continued to skim through articles, piecing your way through the history of Knockemstiff. Little articles in black and white that persevered the history of this dark little town. You were beginning to realize this backwater town was a lot more tangled and complex than you originally believed. It was a tangled history, riddled with crime and unclosed cases, that people seem to have either forgotten or choose to ignore for their own sake. Your mind wandered back to the things Julie had told you about the Sheriff and him being corrupt. You wonder how much of what you read about linked back to him. Though you imagine if he has any sort of political connection, which a man like him must have, the things he was involved in probably didn’t even make it into the paper. The thought made you physically shiver.

You put the large leather portfolios of archives you took and put them back into their proper place on the self chronologically. You grabbed your sweater from the back of your chair, and pushed the chair back into place. Looking up at the clock on the wall, it was only just one in the afternoon. You decided to head down to the diner and grab a bite, and also visit Julie during her second shift. It was a short walk from the library to the diner. Everywhere felt like a short walk here, probably because everything in downtown was not much bigger than a few blocks. The majority of people lived far from the center of town, on their own land and farms.

The little bell on the door rang when you stepped in and Julie waved at you from behind the counter and pointed for you to grab an empty table in her section. You put your bag on the table and took a seat. It was a fairly busy time, most people who worked at the surrounding businesses coming in for their lunch break. Julie brought you over a coffee and then said she’d be back to chat when she got to take her five.

Lee hadn’t been able to go home since the phone call. The symptoms of his hangover were worsening and he was growing more irritable. His five o’clock shadow was still evident on his tired face and his head was pounding. He tried his best to just power through it but the sound of anyone trying to talk to him just made his ears ring.

After leaving the scene, he had to stop by his office and then he was on the phone for the better part of an hour fielding calls from frantic citizens not only of Knockemstiff but also Meade, where Laferty was from. Despite how horribly he felt, he tried his best to keep his temper level and just reassure people he had things under control. He was losing his patience.

He opened up his desk drawer and grabbed his bottle of asprin. Empty. He threw it into the small waste bin and got up abruptly grabbing his jacket off the hook and storming out. He didn’t tell anyone he was leaving and he didn’t care. It was a short walk to the drugstore from the station and he wouldn’t be five minutes. He just needed to do something to stop his head from hurting.

“Afternoon, Sheriff,” the pharmacist greeted when he walked in. He nodded his head upwards briefly to reply without having to talk. He just needed to get in and out. She went back to whatever she was working on when he came in, and he browsed the aisles for what he needed. After paying and walking out, he glanced in the direction of the diner when he was crossing the street. There you were, again. Sitting alone and chatting with the waitress that was refilling your coffee.

He let out a heavy sigh, and then continued walking. He didn’t want you to see him like this, hungover, unshaved, wrinkled uniform and heavy undereye bags from his lack of sleep. You looked- well, Lee thought you were the prettiest thing he’s seen in a while, maybe ever. There was something about you he couldn’t pinpoint. Maybe it was just because you weren’t from here. You were a fresh face, and not ruined by this town. There was a sweetness and an innocence in how you talked to him, because you didn’t know him like the rest of people here did. He liked that.

Even when he left the station for the day, he couldn’t even go home yet. He had a meeting at the bar with one of Brown’s lackeys. He was just supposed to collect his cut so he couldn’t imagine it would take long, but he was still annoyed. Stepping into the bar he looked around as he took off his hat. It was a little more crowded tonight then when he was here last. The red curtain was closed and his eyes lingered there for a moment before directing his attention to the man he recognized who was waving him over.

“Sheriff,” the man greets and Lee slides into the booth across from him.

“Hayward,” he replies. Without even needing to order, the bartender comes over bringing them a bottle of scotch and two glasses.

“You ever go back there?” Hayward asks, watching as a girl came out and brought a man behind the curtain who had been waiting at the bar.

“No,” Lee scoffs.

“They are amazing,” Hayward says, almost giddy. Lee feels sympathy towards the poor woman who had to take care of him. Lee doesn’t acknowledge the statement and just empties his glass and begins to pour himself a second.

“So, my cut?” Lee asks. Hayward frowns and goes into the breast pocket of his sports coat and pulls out an envelope of cash.

“You aren’t getting full,” the man says when Lee cocks a brow at the thinness of the envelope.

“Still?” Lee asks, pissed. Hayward nods. Lee’s jaw clenches.

“You didn’t keep things tidy on your end,” Hayward reminds him, “You got one job. Keep the cops out of our territory. We had two cruisers drive through last week. The only reason you’re getting anything at all is cause you managed to keep your people off us when we did the exchange with Deckard’s crew.”

The man finishes his drink, and then slaps the empty glass on the table. He pulls out his own envelope, which is much thicker than Lee’s and drops down more than enough for the drinks. He chuckles condescendingly and tells the Sheriff to get a dance. Fuck that. Lee takes the extra money and plans to just put it right in his pocket and go home. He finishes his third scotch and suddenly his headache was back. He felt worse than he did earlier today.

“What can I do for you, Sheriff?” a feminine voice asks, making him break his line of thought. He looks to his side and he recognizes her as one of the girls he sees bringing men to the back room, behind the velvet curtain. He shakes his head, and instead of leaving him alone, she slides into the booth next to him. Her hand grazes over his thigh. “You seem awful tense, Sheriff,” she says and then bites her lip.

He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t tempted. He knows she doesn’t actually want him, and it’s just an attempt to get him to spend money in the backroom. If he doesn’t focus his already hazing vision, maybe she could vaguely remind him of you. He can’t do it, but he wants to. Her hand moves up his leg and he pulls away. He adjusts his pants and she shrugs.

“Maybe next time then,” she winks before walking away. He rests his head back on the vinyl seat and sighs. He grabs his hat and jacket, leaving before he changes his mind. “Ask for Cherry when you come in, yeah?” she calls when he walks out.

You are just everywhere. You’re in his head and he doesn’t even know you. He needs to sleep, desperately, and part of him in the back of his mind hopes you’ll be there. When he wakes up, he doesn’t remember.

“Have you heard about the Church fundraiser coming up?” Julie asks. You shake your head. “It’s a pretty big deal here. Everyone participates.”

“What is it?” you ask, kicking off your slippers so you can sit crisscross on the couch.

“Bid-On-A-Basket,” she says casually, like it’s the most obvious thing.

“Never heard of it,” you reply, “It sounds fun. What is it?”

“All us single gals put together a picnic basket with everything for a lunch,” she explains, “and then all the eligible bachelors bid on the basket and a date with the girl who made it. Last year, the dreamiest guy, Bill Whittier, bought mine- it’s so fun. Me and Bill didn’t work out but it was a good time.”

“I don’t know anyone here,” you say hesitantly.

“Perfect way to get a date then,” she teases. You bite your lip. You aren’t sure about this.

“And what if some creep is the highest bidder?” you counter.

“You get a bad date story for your next date?” she poses. “Please,” she begs, “It’s for a good cause, all the money this year is going to help the Sunday school.”

“What if no one bids on it?” You rebut.

“Look at yourself,” she scoffs, “you’ll get bids. Trust me.” You roll your eyes.

“I’ll think about it,” you say finally. She smirks, completely planning to wear you down.

“Remember it’s for the kids,” she reasons, “It wouldn’t hurt to go and participate.”

“I said I’ll think about it,” you laugh.

Time passes and soon enough you get another call from Sandy, and you are suddenly back to taking care of Valerie. You had missed her, a lot actually. You definitely have gotten attached to her, and you think you’ve grown on her too. Sandy was vague this time for how long they’d be gone, but since the previous time went so smoothly, you didn’t worry about it.

About a week after Sandy and Carl left this time, there was another disturbing news report. You were sitting on the floor, changing Valerie and you had the television playing softly in the background. The news told the story of another body, this time found in the woods off of the highway. You finish changing the baby and hold her close, her little chin resting on your shoulder as you watch the news story. It was just like Julie had talked about. Another man, thirty years old. He was shot and his body abandoned. You jump at the knock at the front door.

You peep through the curtains, and you see the Sheriff waiting on the front porch. You wonder if he knows you’re there. Part of you almost wishes he knows it you here and he wanted to see you. It’s incredibly stupid on your part and you know better, but nonetheless, part of you hoped he came here for you. Very stupid. With Valerie on your hip, you open the door.

“I’m sorry, darling,” he says walking into the house. He stops in front of you and presses a kiss to Valerie’s forehead and she squeals happily seeing Lee. You close the door with your foot. “May I?” he asks, and opens his arms. You agree, based on Valerie’s reactions to him whenever she sees him. He takes her in his arms, and she starts playing with his tie. He loosens it so she can play with it and not choke him.

“What can I do for you, Sheriff?” you ask. He reacts in a way in a way you can’t really read, but you don’t press.

His mind just goes back to the woman a couple weeks back in the brothel who asked him the same thing, and that his mind immediately had gone to you. He just clears his throat and snaps himself out of that thought process.

“Um, I just came by to see Sandy,” he says, “But I can fathom a guess that she’s not here?”

“Excellent deduction,” you joke, and he smirks. Valerie has his tie in her mouth and is covering it in drool. He doesn’t even seem to care.

“Are you okay?” he asks, and you nod. “You looked a little scared when you answered.”

“Just watching the news before you showed up is all,” you explain, “They were talking about how there was another man found dead.”

“Ain’t got nothing to worry about,” he says, “We’re on top of it. I’m on my way over there now.”

“Can I ask you something?” you ask hesitantly.

“Of course, darling.”

“My friend, you probably know her- Julie Grady.”

“Yeah, nice kid,” he says, listening but gently pulling his tie from Valerie’s grasp. She starts playing with the flap of the pocket of his jacket.

Kid. You almost grimace. That’s right. Of course, Lee would view someone your age that way. You weren’t. You chastise yourself for even caring, but you decide to continue. You shouldn’t care how he sees you.

“Yeah- well, she told me there have been others,” you continue, “I also read up about it, just the newspapers at the library- but she said people thought it was some kind of serial killer… I just, I want to know what you think.”

“I don’t think know,” he answers honestly, a little taken aback, not expecting you to approach him with something this serious. “I doubt it,” he explains, “Serial killers stay close to home. Now those cases you read about, and these two we are looking at- they sound close together but logistically, they aren’t really. Two of those unsolved were in completely different states- just like this new one.”

“So, no traveling serial killer?” you chuckle, trying to sound lighthearted. He chuckles and shakes his head.

“Most people like that stay in one area,” Lee explains, “They work jobs, they have a home, you know? They tend to stay near where they live.”

“That makes me feel much better,” you answer honestly.

“You got nothing to worry about, and that’s a promise,” he grins, although he supposes coming from him that probably doesn’t mean much. Regardless, it makes you smile.

“Are you sure I can’t get you anything?” you offer again. He bites his lip, taking a moment to think.

“Sandy keeps a bag of candy in her cabinet,” he says, walking into the kitchen with you following close behind. He passes Valerie off to you and he chuckles under his breath at the state of his tie. He reaches up in the cabinet and pulls down a brown paper bag, filled with taffies and chocolates.

Something about this man who has a whole time scared of him playing with his niece and then stealing sweets from the cupboard is something you find so strangely endearing. He unwraps one of the brightly colored taffies and then puts the bag in his pocket.

“I gotta go,” he announces, “let me know if you hear from Sandy, yeah?”

“Of course,” you reply.

“Gonna head out to that scene, and do my report,” he discloses, not really sure why he’s telling you. “Then I have a meeting at the rectory about that fundraiser thing. Figure out security.”

“They need security at Bid-On-A-Basket?” you ask, with an eyebrow raised. He smiles.

“You going?” he asks, flirtatiously.

“Just seems weird to have police at a Church thing.”

“There’s been stupid fights,” he shrugs, “some guy will get outbid and cause a fuss. Nothing serious. Probably just gonna be me and a deputy in case. You going?”

“I don’t know, maybe,” you say sheepishly. “Why?”

He walks towards the front door, and you follow seeing him out.

“Cause I gotta know if I’ll be bidding on a basket,” he winks.

“You gonna start a fight if you don’t win it?” you joke.

“If it’s yours? Absolutely, darling.”

Taglist:

@adelaide-walker @thedepressolit @samanthadegaro @pyronack @greeneyedblondie44  @acciosiriusblack  @weenersoldierr @teenagemutant @witchybarb @iraot @my-love-darling @hold-me-like-a-heart-beat @swiftieandthewintersoldier @letsfly-andbe-free @rebekahdawkins @stiles-stilinski-24-dylan @hersilencedscreams @unsaltedalmonds @dangerdolns @vintagepigeon @bluebouquetcupcake29 @goslytherin @captainofallfandoms @buckistan @aynanasstuff @everything-is-all-clear @rosalynshields @tinynshykitten​ 

[lili-typos]

Josh Appreciation Week - Day 6: Hope

The last thing to die

9th November 2039 - 9:43 p.m.

Josh didn’t realize he was nervously moving his legs while sitting on the public bus until North, who was sitting next to him, suddenly placed a hand on his knee, in order to stop the unconscious bouncing movement.

“Jeez, Josh, relax”, North whispered, pressing Josh’s knee softly, “I’m sure everything will be alright, so don’t chicken out for nothing”

Josh exhaled a still little nervous laugh, placing his hand over North’s one.

“Are you sure you are alright, North? It doesn’t suit you to be so optimistic”

The WR400 clicked her tongue, removing her hand from Josh’s knee for the sake of elbowing her friend.

“I wonder who is at fault for that”

Josh smiled softly and took a deep breath, trying to calm down. The bus stopped at that moment and among the new humans and deviants that entered there was a rather old lady, so Josh immediately stood up to lend her his seat. The woman looked at him with surprise for a moment but eventually smiled gratefully and accepted the seat, murmuring a soft ‘Thank you’ that Josh returned with another smile.

A year had passed since the Android Revolution finished and there were still things to work on in order to assure androids had the same rights than humans, but no one could deny that things were progressing, like the fact that now androids and humans were taking a bus without having to be separated.

Three stops later Josh and North stepped down the bus. Their destination was the place where Jericho once was, and where a sculpture representing the androids breaking their inner wall to fall into deviancy had been built. Carl Manfred had been the one in designing it, and along the sculpted wall the names and models of the deviants that had died that 9th November of 2038 were written.

It was a symbol that represented their fight and sacrifice to gain their freedom, and when it was finished Josh thought it would be a good idea to commemorate the anniversary of that day. They proposed Josh’s idea to President Warren, who accepted, and an announcement was made in the news encouraging people to go to that place to pay their respects.

Since winter in Detroit was really cold and that night was snowing pretty heavily Josh had assumed that there wouldn’t be many humans in the place they were walking towards.

He was mistaken.

In front of the sculpture, that had been called ‘Breaking Free’, a small platform with a microphone had been installed, and in front of it, waiting patiently for the ceremony to begin, there was a gigantic crowd composed of deviants but also humans, each of them carrying LED candles and artificial flowers of different colors like the ones North and him were carrying themselves.

With his mouth still open wide Josh pinpointed some familiar faces: Kara, Luther and little Alice were there accompanied by Rose, John had also arrived and was animatedly talking with a young woman that seemed to be his coworker and friend, Dominika was there too with her husband and her daughter, and of course Markus, Connor and Hank were already there.

“Just in time”, Markus greeted them with a smile, and Josh was surprised when the leader grabbed his arm, beginning to drag him towards the front line, “come one, everyone is waiting”

“Wait, waiting for what?”, Josh said with confusion, missing the way North bit her bottom lip with amusement.

Markus looked at him without understanding.

“Uhm…for you speech?”

Josh’s mouth fell opened.

“WHAT?”

“Wait, haven’t you prepared anything?”

“Of course I haven’t! You are the leader, I thought that you were going to do the talk!”

“But I don’t understand. I talked to North yesterday and told her that since it was your idea it was more logical that you gave the speech, didn’t she tell you anything?”

Josh closed her eyes with patience before looking at North, who was looking back at him innocently.

“If I had told you, you would have panicked even more, so you should actually thank me!”

If Josh didn’t have such a pacific nature, he would strangle that evil redhead right then…or at least he would try.

“Come on, Josh, I’m sure you will do it fine”, Connor said with an encouraging smile.

“Yeah, kid, don’t stress you over it”, Hank intervened, “and I bet that after Markus’ hellish long speeches, everyone will be grateful if you keep it short”

“Thank you, lieutenant Anderson. It’s always a pleasure to count with your support”, Markus said ironically, making Hank snort while the rest laughed.

“Well, Josh, don’t keep us waiting”, North grinned and winked at him, and against his will Josh couldn’t help to suppress a resigned smile before finally beginning to walk towards the platform.

The murmur that had been invading the place got quiet when Josh stepped in front of the microphone. He gulped with nervousness when seeing so many people focusing on him, but when seeing North making a thumb up gesture from the crowd he was about to chuckle, forgetting already that she was the culprit of him being standing there.

“G-Good evening”, Josh cleared his throat, obviously nervous, but when he looked at the crowd again and he saw some people smiling at him encouragingly, being Dominika obviously among them, he suddenly felt less nervous, “I have to confess that I didn’t know I would be the one in speaking here tonight, so I apologize in advance because this speech would be surely poor compared to the ones Markus had you got used to”

Everyone laughed quietly, which gave Josh courage to continue talking more at ease, words falling from his lips with more fluency that he was expecting.

“Exactly one year ago, around this hour, the place that used to be our home was attacked, causing several deviants to lose their lives. For the ones who survived, myself included, that was the day in which we were about to abandon hope, thinking that we would never have a place in this world”

Josh’s tone, solemn until that moment, acquired a hint of emotion.

“But we were mistaken. The fact that we are here today, that you are here today, proves that there are people who knows…”, Josh signaled the sculpture behind him with a emphatic gesture, “…that we always deserved to be free, that we deserve a place in this world; people who think that we can try to make the world better, by working together; people who will fight to prevent more incidents like that November 9th from happening again. So thank you”

With slightly trembling hands Josh turned on the LED candle he was carrying.

“Thank you for being here , and confirm us once again that not losing hope was the correct thing to do”

Gradually, all the crowed lit their own candles while keeping a respectful silence.

After a minute had passed, Josh nodded towards the crowd and said a new final thank you that provoked a wave of loud applause that took Josh completely by surprise, causing him to blush slightly. He nodded awkwardly towards the people before abandoning the platform to come back with his friends.

“Well, with the exception of that initial stutter it wasn’t that bad”, North joked while still applauding, but Josh smiled when seeing that her eyes were brighter, showing that she had liked the speech a lot even if probably she would never admit it aloud.

“You did it fantastic, Josh”, Markus said, hugging him.

“Yep, congratulations kid”, Hank said winking at him, causing Josh to chuckle. At that moment he saw Dominika waving her hand towards him so he approached to hug her and share some more words.

After almost five minutes of people approaching him to congratulate him (Josh honestly admired Markus for being able to deal with that each day with a straight face), everyone approached the sculpture to leave the artificial flowers they had brought.

Josh was about to do the same when suddenly he felt someone staring at him.

He looked at that direction, and his LED began to blink in yellow when recognizing two of the students that attacked him that day when he became deviant, some meters away from him.

Josh’s first reaction was to tense, getting ready to attack in case it was necessary, but then he noticed two things: first, both students were also carrying flowers and candles; and second, the shame and regret that bathed their expression was impossible to miss.

When noticing that, Josh’s LED came back to blue immediately, realizing that those students were probably struggling to find the proper words to apologize to him. However, if Josh was completely honest to himself, he didn’t need any apologizes anymore, so he simply smiled and nodded towards them, causing both students to look at him in disbelief before awkwardly nodding towards his direction, before finally approaching the wall to leave their offerings.

“Hey, you okay?”

Josh turned around and found North looking at him and the students alternatively, probably deducing who they were.

The PJ500 nodded, his smile serene while approaching the sculpture to leave the flowers he had brought for Simon and Lucy, because now he knew without a doubt that hope was the last thing to die.